Submitted Photo A rendering from the City of Minot shows a potential view of a new transit center that has been proposed to be located in Minot’s downtown Renaissance Ramp.

A city plan to relocate its transit transfer center to a downtown parking ramp became more uncertain Monday. The Minot City Council held off on seeking relocation bids until negotiations with developers on ramp build-out proposals are completed.

The City of Minot received three proposals for developments of the two downtown parking ramps, according to information provided by City Manager Harold Stewart to the council.

A committee received presentations Dec. 7 on two proposals for the Central Ramp, 5 1st St. SW, and one proposal for the Renaissance Ramp, 205 1st St. SW. Members of the committee included city staff and downtown representatives as well as council members Paul Pitner and Lisa Olson.

Both concrete parking ramps came under construction in 2013 and were completed in 2016. They were built with street-level retail space, none of which is occupied. They also were designed and built to accommodate five-story, wood-framed apartments above the current structure. The city council would like to see the ramps built out and utilized.

In addition, the Renaissance Ramp, next to City Hall, has been selected as the potential site for a transit transfer center, which would move from the Minot Municipal Auditorium.

Pitner said in talking with developers interested in the parking ramps, all have questioned their abilities to work with the project if they must factor in the transit center.

“Downtown, I think, is the ideal location for the transit center. I would just propose maybe a possible alternative location,” he said, suggesting a location closer to Central Campus, Ward County offices and the nonprofit Project BEE.

However, Pitner acknowledged the advantage of locating a transit center in a city-owned facility. Information from city staff is that purchasing a stand-alone facility could push the estimated $607,000 cost to $1 million to $2 million. The need to seek additional grant funds could delay the project by two to three years.

The council also postponed action on parking ordinances needed to facilitate the relocated transit center. Parking restrictions would be required on the west side of First Street Southwest, from Burdick Expressway to just north of Second Avenue. Parking would be restricted to transit vehicles on the east side of First Street Southwest between Second and Third Avenues, in front of the transit center.